Peace and conflict
What Scripture says about anger, quarrels, gentle words and working things out. King James Version, both public domain, quoted word for word.
Slow to anger · Quarrels and strife · Making peace · Working things out · Gentle words · Forgiveness
Slow to anger
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
James 1:19-20 (KJV)
A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
Proverbs 15:18 (KJV)
The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.
Proverbs 19:11 (KJV)
A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.
Proverbs 29:11 (KJV)
Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil.
Ephesians 4:26-27 (KJV)
Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
Psalm 37:8 (KJV)
Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.
Ecclesiastes 7:9 (KJV)
Quarrels and strife
The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.
Proverbs 17:14 (KJV)
It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.
Proverbs 20:3 (KJV)
Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
Proverbs 26:20-21 (KJV)
But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
2 Timothy 2:23-24 (KJV)
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Galatians 5:19-23 (KJV)
But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
Titus 3:9 (KJV)
Making peace
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Matthew 5:9 (KJV)
Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:17-21 (KJV)
Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
Romans 14:19 (KJV)
Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.
1 Peter 3:8-11 (KJV)
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
Psalm 133:1 (KJV)
Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
Hebrews 12:14 (KJV)
Working things out
Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
Matthew 5:23-24 (KJV)
¶ Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
Matthew 18:15-17 (KJV)
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Philippians 2:3-4 (KJV)
I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.
Philippians 4:2-3 (KJV)
Gentle words
A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
Proverbs 15:1 (KJV)
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
Ephesians 4:29 (KJV)
Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
Colossians 4:6 (KJV)
To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.
Titus 3:2 (KJV)
Forgiveness
Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
Ephesians 4:31-32 (KJV)
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
Colossians 3:12-15 (KJV)